Improvement in match-boxes



- T. ROBERTSON.

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Patented Aug. 10,1875.

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Nrrnn STATES JPM'ENA FFIOE.

THOMAS ROBERTSON, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN MATCH-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 166,480, dated August 10,1875; application filed January 28, 1875.

y made from paper, wood, veneer, &c., in which matches are paoked,vand in the wall-plates or holders for holding` such boxes; and it consists of a box of any suitable length, closed solidly1 at both ends, whose cross-section may be detined as aparallelogram having unequal angles, or, in other words, a rhombus or rhomboid. A slit of suitable length is cut near' each end of one of the thinner edges of the box, between which the junction of the two sides is not solid. A circular section is cut out in the center of the same edge, through which the matches appear. That portion of the sides between the two slits forms by the natural elasticity of the box material a double spring, which always closes together after displacement. Thus, a match or two may be drawn outas required, without allowing the remaining matches to escape, or exposing their charged ends. My invention consists, further, of a wall-plate or match-box holder for holding the box in such a position that as match after match is removed the remaining matches feed themselves down to the spring-edge.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures l and 2 are views in perspective of a matchbox constructed according to my invention. Fig. 3 is a view of the same, showing the 'back of the box. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the box plate or holder.

A is the box, whose sides are made from one piece of paper or other suitable material, cut to the proper shape by die, and scored or creased at the angles a, so that it will readily bend to the shape shown. B are the ends, in thev present case made of wood, but which may be made of paprmhr material that will answer the purpose. The outside face `of these endsis covered with a coating of sand, on which the matches may be struck for ignition. one feather-edge, of such depth as to allow a match to be pulled out between the springedges A1 A2 of the two sides without tearing the paper. a2 is a circular section cut out of the centerof the same feather-edge, to allow the matches to be taken hold of by the finger and thumb. G are the matches. a are holes cut in the back of the box, in which are inand draw the box down until the neck of the y stud slips up to the end of the narrow part of the slot. The under side of the broad head of the stud is cut flush with the neck, in order that it will not catch the sides of the opening.

The advantages gained by my invention are, that the boxes pack conveniently together 5 that the charged ends of the matches are unexposed, thus lessening the danger oi' re by accidental friction or other causes; that the consumption of matches is lessened by allowing but one or two to be taken from the box at a time; that each match, even to the last remaining in the box, feeds itself down to the opening. v

I claim as my invention- 1. A match-box constructed of some suitable material, having its bottom inclined forward, as shown, and its front and bottom slitted at al, forming the spring-surfaces A1 A2, and provided with the finger-way a?, as and for the purpose specified.

2. A match-box constructed substantially as herein shown, and having the openings a? in the back, in combination with the plate D1, having the studs D2, as and for the purposes set forth.

THOMAS ROBERTSON. Witnesses GEO. A. AIRD, JOHN BOTTOMER.

a1 are slits cut near each end of 

